Government adopts 5-year digital strategy for information access

THE Aquino administration has adopted a five-year digital strategy to provide the Filipino people a reliable, affordable, and secure information access in the Philippines.

"The Philippine Government has adopted a five-year digital strategy anchored upon this vision: A digitally empowered, innovative, globally competitive and prosperous society where everyone has reliable, affordable and secure information access in the Philippines. A government that practices accountability and excellence to provide responsive online citizen-centered services. A thriving knowledge economy through public-private partnership,” said Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Sonny Coloma on Monday at the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) + 10 Review Event, High Level Panel: Towards Knowledge Societies for Sustainable Development in Paris, France.

Aside from streamlining bureaucracy through e-Government, Coloma said the administration is also adopting the "strategy of digital inclusion and capacity building" to foster an enabling environment through a broadband policy that aims to reach previously unserved areas and customers.

He said the Philippines recently enacted a law that will protect women and children against the evils of human trafficking perpetrated through the internet.

"Thirdly, we are supporting the continued growth of the information and communication technology-driven business process outsourcing industry to provide opportunities for investment and jobs," Coloma added.

"Fourth, the strategy of “investing in people” further promotes digital inclusion by addressing not only the needs of formal sectors, but also of marginalized communities," Coloma said.

Lastly, the strategy is anchored on continuing support to innovation, and on affordable development and deployment of information and communication technology not only in micro, small and medium enterprises but also in local governments.

Coloma likewise said the Philippine Government is pleased to have participated in the crafting of the Moscow Declaration on Media and Information Literacy in June 2012 under the auspices of the International Federation of Library Associations.

"Our common task is to push further its frontiers into the propagation of Knowledge Societies that will bring about the attainment of the peace and sustainable human development," he said. (SDR/Sunnex)